Heather took it and between munches said, “I made no mention that Seamus might possibly have some knowledge of the secret passage.”
“That is good, for Seamus does not trust the Dragon and his warriors. He will tell them nothing. You, a Macinnes, he would trust.”
“I thought the same from having spoken with him, and I do hope he can be of some help.” Heather brushed her hands of any crumbs clinging to them, and wished she could brush away the problems at hand so easily.
“Shall we see what the guards will do when I attempt to leave?” Heather said.
“I would suggest a quick gait, my lady since they will be expecting me and may not bother to look until too late. I will follow close behind and keep them from you if possible.”
“I do not wish you punished because of me.”
“What do I do but follow you out, nothing more,” Nessa said with a shrug.
“Thank you, Nessa, I appreciate it, but promise me you will do nothing that will bring punishment down on you.”
“As you wish, my lady,” she said, picking up the tray.
Heather nodded, though knew full well that Nessa would do anything to help her and Heatherwould do anything to make sure the woman did not suffer because of it.
Heather went to the door, opened it, and rushed out past the guards before they realized it was her. She did not stop; she kept a fast pace, Nessa following behind her.
The two guards rushed after her. “My lady, the Dragon has ordered you to remain abed.”
“I am going to speak with him about that,” Heather called back to them, grateful that Nessa was blocking them from reaching out for her.
“You need to return to your room, my lady. We will fetch the Dragon for you.”
Heather rushed down the stairs. “I will fetch him myself.”
“Move out of the way, woman!”
Heather smiled, silently blessing Nessa for keeping the guards at bay, and then she heard a piercing screech that rang in her ears followed by the clatter of the tray and its contents falling and several oaths being shouted. Nessa had done well in stopping the guards.
Servants were the only ones in the Great Hall and Heather asked if any of them had seen the Dragon. They shook their heads and she wondered why they appeared so fearful. It struck her as she reached the door. Her husband had made it known that she was to remain abed, and she was blatantly disobeying him. They feared for her punishment.
The sun and a warm breeze hit her as soon as she stepped outside, and she drank in both happyshe had escaped the confines of her bedchamber. She wished she could go find Seamus and see if he knew anything about a secret entrance to the keep, but now was not the time.
She looked around and spotting Belle near the edge of the woods called out to her as she approached.
“My lady, you are feeling better?” Belle asked with concern.
“I am fine, a bump is all. Have you seen the Dragon?”
Belle hesitated a moment before saying, “He made it known to all that you would spend the day abed.”
“It is too fine a day to lie abed.”
Belle hesitated once again. “Perhaps you should do as the Dragon says, my lady.”
“You would be wise to follow Belle’s advice, least I shackle you to me until I say otherwise.”
Both women turned to see the Dragon and Pitt approach.
Belle gave a respectful nod and stepped away.
Heather smiled at his remark, thinking it would be a good way of keeping him from ever leaving her again. “Promise?”
Pitt chuckled. Rhys did not.
